Facility Notes

In St. Paul, Doug Belden reported the Minnesota Supreme Court on Friday did not rule on "a legal challenge that's held up the sale of public bonds for the new Vikings stadium, further squeezing officials who say they need millions from the bond proceeds" this week. But Minnesota Management & Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter, whose agency is selling the bonds, on Friday said that it "may already be too late." He added that the money needed in the short term -- $17M Thursday and another $8M Friday -- "might have to come from an alternative funding source instead of the bonds." But Belden noted there "was no indication Friday that it would come from the Vikings" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/18).

12TH MAN'S BANDWIDTH: In Seattle, Monica Guzman wrote, "It's a little ironic that CenturyLink Field is named after a company that offers high-speed Internet service but it is not among the stadiums that offer Wi-Fi to all fans." However, offering WiFi at stadiums "is a taller order than you might expect" (SEATTLETIMES.com, 1/18).

NEW IN THE MINI APPLE: In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman reported the T'Wolves "would like to get into their new basketball facilities" for the start of the '14-15 season. Team Owner Glen Taylor said that progress is "being made in negotiating a deal and hopes to have it done soon" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/19).

LAKE SHOW, REVISITED: In L.A., Randy Lewis noted Madison Square Garden Co. is putting the refurbished Forum "back in the Southland concert business, marketing it as a more music-friendly alternative to the multi-purpose" Staples Center. MSG Co. is hoping the Forum can compete with Staples Center "for the top-grossing entertainers by offering what the downtown sports arena can't: the world's largest indoor theater designed specifically with music in mind" (LATIMES.com, 1/17).